Hizbul warning to voters, candidates

3 September 2002The Times of IndiaM SALEEM PANDIT

SRINAGAR: Hizbul Mujahideen on Tuesday warned candidates and the voters alike to stay out of poll fray. In a statement issued to a local news agency, Hizbul divisional commanders Gazi Nasib-u-din and Shahnawaz said, ‘‘We will target all election rallies and so it is advisable that people stay away from rallies.’’ Calling the assembly elections as a ‘‘mockery’’, they said politicians participating in elections could not remain under security cover all the time. They said the security forces could not guard themselves against militant strikes. The Hizb commanders also asked transporters and government employees to remain away from the poll process. The statement further asked students not to act as technical staff during the elections in the event of refusal by government employees to come to Kashmir on election duty.